Schoolgirls rugby union begins in Lae

 By JOHN PANGKATANA

MOROBE schools rugby is set to introduce a girls programme following an exhibition match staged at the SCRUM Oval last Saturday in Lae.

 National Rugby Development Officer (NRDO) Robin Tarere said the trial between St Mary’s and Igam Barracks Primary Schools in the U14 division had positive responses from school teachers and parents alike.

Tarere said this has prompted them to introduce girl’s rugby in the U12s, U14s and U16s at the primary school level.

Morobe is the only province in the country that has an active schools competition that is promoted by SCRUM (Supporters of Club Rugby Union Morobe) under Tarere and his three full-time development officers Joseph Wamapiri, Patrick Hou and Clifford Vali.

“We will introduce the girls at eight targeted primary schools and then later to five secondary schools,” Tarere said.

He further said that their programme would run alongside the Pacific In Union (PIU)  programme which is growing steadily in Port Moresby and had recently been introduced to Lae.

He said the girls’ competition would foster a more family-oriented atmosphere as their parents will certainly be turning up to the paying venues.

Tarere said currently their development officers had been running coaching clinics since March and then the schools competition gets underway in the second term next month.

“With this I acknowledge our long-time sponsorand supporter in Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) for sticking by us to promote our programmes for the last 15 years,” Tarere said.

He also confirmed that the CCA schools rugby competition primarily for elementary to upper primary students would be launched in the first week of June.

“This year amongst the 30 schools from Lae Urban and all the districts in the Morobe province we have four additional schools plus international schools as well,” he added.

The secondary schools competition which will be played on Friday’s will start next month.